Browsing: switzerland

I would happily put either side of Grosse Scheidegg on any top ten list of great Alpine cycling climbs.

This weekend I had the good fortune of having the great mountain sport photographer Dan Patittuci show me his favourite “local loop” in the hills just north of Interlaken.

Ovronnaz is a little ski station in the Valais region of Switzerland that has featured recently in the Tour de Suisse. It’s a beautiful and steep 10 kilometre climb. Vineyards down low, south facing for plenty of sun on a cool November day, and dozens of amazing hairpins:

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Whenever Verbier appears in a Tour de Suisse or Tour de France stage I predictably complain that the best part of the climb is above the village/finish.

Beautiful vineyards, a challenging climb, a long tunnel, military checkpoints, an alpine dam/lake, and a beautiful castle – this loop has it all. And most of it is virtually deserted!

The west side of Sustenpass is rarely too steep. But it is a giant climb – 27.5 kilometres long. And it’s beautiful.